Easing the Hidden Wounds of War: 'Stand Up for Heroes' Hosts Comedy Night for Veterans

It was one of those nights that hits the extreme emotional poles – joy in the comedy and that they all made it home.

"I'm happy to be here tonight for a number of reasons. One is that I'm alive," Kinard told the crowd onstage.

But then lumps formed in throats as he remembered a Marine in his unit who had taken his own life last month.

"For some of us, the deployment never ends," he said. "We come back home. We suffer not just from injuries in our bones and muscle. We suffer injuries of the mind, and that's a powerful thing."

Kinard's message is not a call for pity but a reminder that "support the troops" is not a slogan, it's an action. In the first four years, these events have raised $11 million to help wounded warriors get their lives back.

And for the grand finale, the Boss played four songs. A regular participant at this event, it is customary for Bruce Springsteen to auction off his guitar, and the money goes to the Woodruff Foundation. Last night, the guitar sold for $160,000, and the bidder gave the guitar to Kinard.